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ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote awareness among voters.

The MoU was signed by ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan and Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah University, Professor Bushra Mirza.

The partnership aims to promote civic awareness and inclusive electoral processes through education, awareness and research initiatives. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja said the MoU represents an alliance focused on civic education.

He said training would be imparted to a network of student ambassadors to lead voter awareness activities under the MoU.

He added that both organisations would also undertake joint research on youth voting, the participation of women in the electoral process, and electoral reforms.

He emphasised the importance of civic education and the role of Fatima Jinnah University in promoting voter awareness among young women.

Secretary Election Commission, Omar Hamid Khan, expressed commitment to working with FJWU on various initiatives. He said these would include voter education and awareness programmes, mock voting exercises, and voter awareness activities on campuses and in communities.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025

PESHAWAR/SWAT: Two petitions have been filed with Peshawar High Court in Peshawar and Mingora (Darul Qaza), seeking an inquiry into several deaths in the recent flash floods in Swat district and the fixing of responsibility for the alleged negligence.

In Swat, a bench consisting of Justice Sabitullah Khan and Justice Qazi Jawad Ehsanullah issued notices to the respondents, including the provincial government, seeking their response to a petition, which called for the court’s orders for Swat’s district administration and tehsil municipal administration of Mingora to immediately remove illegal structures along the river banks and to halt excavations therein.

The petition is jointly field by two citizens, Fayyaz Zafar and Fazal Khaliq, requesting the high court to direct the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Rescue 1122 to develop a formal framework for the identification, training and equipping of local volunteers, who significantly contributed to the disaster response.

Advocate Shah Faisal Khan appeared for the petitioners and highlighted severe consequences of the recent floods in the Bypass Fizagat area, emphasising alleged administrative negligence and failure in preventive measures.

Meanwhile, a citizen on Tuesday moved the high court in Peshawar for ordering a judicial inquiry into the “circumstances” that led to deaths of multiple people during the recent floods in Swat as well as a probe into the alleged misuse of Rescue 1122 vehicles by the provincial government for “political purposes.”

A resident of Charsadda, Amir Alam, filed a petition seeking directives for the law-enforcement and accountability authorities to look into the alleged misuse of Rescue 1122 vehicles and resources by the provincial executive for political purposes, and to proceed strictly in accordance with law if cognizable offences were committed.

He requested the court to order a high-level judicial or commission-based inquiry to determine the circumstances that led to failure of the disaster response system during the Swat floods of Jun 27, fixing responsibility on the negligent officers and public functionaries.

The petitioner sought the court’s directives for the provincial chief secretary and director general of Rescue 1122 to submit a detailed report regarding the current operational status of all rescue and disaster relief vehicles/ equipment and their lawful utilization.

He also requested directives for the respondents, including the provincial government, to cancel all mining activities, carried out through auction or otherwise, in the River Swat.

The petitioner also sought orders for independent audit and investigation into the recruitment process and resource allocation within Rescue 1122 to ensure transparency, merit and prevent political interference in emergency situations.

The petition, filed through lawyer Babar Khan Yousafzai, includes as respondents the provincial chief minister, its chief secretary, secretaries of mines and mineral, irrigation, relief and rehabilitation, local government and culture and tourism departments, the directors general of Rescue 1122 and Provincial Disaster Management Authority and KP inspector general of police.

The petitioner said that on June 27, flash floods struck Swat district resulting in the death of at least 18 people, including tourists from Punjab.

He added that the failure of Rescue 1122 and provincial authorities to respond timely and effectively caused unnecessary and avoidable loss of lives.

The petitioner alleged that over six months ago, the Rescue 1122 vehicles and other resources were “unlawfully diverted” by the chief minister for use in a political protest in Islamabad.

He added that those vehicles were confiscated by Islamabad’s police, severely hampering disaster preparedness across the province.

The petitioner contended that the PDMA operated under the KP Disaster Management Act, 2010, under which its resources might be used for disaster preparedness and response only.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025

PESHAWAR/SWAT: Two petitions have been filed with Peshawar High Court in Peshawar and Mingora (Darul Qaza), seeking an inquiry into several deaths in the recent flash floods in Swat district and the fixing of responsibility for the alleged negligence.

In Swat, a bench consisting of Justice Sabitullah Khan and Justice Qazi Jawad Ehsanullah issued notices to the respondents, including the provincial government, seeking their response to a petition, which called for the court’s orders for Swat’s district administration and tehsil municipal administration of Mingora to immediately remove illegal structures along the river banks and to halt excavations therein.

The petition is jointly filed by two citizens, Fayyaz Zafar and Fazal Khaliq, requesting the high court to direct the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Rescue 1122 to develop a formal framework for the identification, training and equipping of local volunteers, who significantly contributed to the disaster response.

Advocate Shah Faisal Khan appeared for the petitioners and highlighted the severe consequences of the recent floods in the Bypass Fizagat area, emphasising alleged administrative negligence and failure in preventive measures.

Meanwhile, a citizen on Tuesday moved the high court in Peshawar for ordering a judicial inquiry into the “circumstances” that led to the deaths of multiple people during the recent floods in Swat, as well as a probe into the alleged misuse of Rescue 1122 vehicles by the provincial government for “political purposes.”

A resident of Charsadda, Amir Alam, filed a petition seeking directives for the law-enforcement and accountability authorities to look into the alleged misuse of Rescue 1122 vehicles and resources by the provincial executive for political purposes, and to proceed strictly in accordance with the law if cognizable offences were committed.

He requested the court to order a high-level judicial or commission-based inquiry to determine the circumstances that led to the failure of the disaster response system during the Swat floods of Jun 27, fixing responsibility on the negligent officers and public functionaries.

The petitioner sought the court’s directives for the provincial chief secretary and director general of Rescue 1122 to submit a detailed report regarding the current operational status of all rescue and disaster relief vehicles/ equipment and their lawful utilisation.

He also requested directives for the respondents, including the provincial government, to cancel all mining activities, carried out through auction or otherwise, in the River Swat.

The petitioner also sought orders for an independent audit and investigation into the recruitment process and resource allocation within Rescue 1122 to ensure transparency, merit and prevent political interference in emergency situations.

The petition, filed through lawyer Babar Khan Yousafzai, includes as respondents the provincial chief minister, its chief secretary, secretaries of mines and mineral, irrigation, relief and rehabilitation, local government and culture and tourism departments, the directors general of Rescue 1122 and Provincial Disaster Management Authority and KP inspector general of police.

The petitioner said that on June 27, flash floods struck Swat district resulting in the death of at least 18 people, including tourists from Punjab.

He added that the failure of Rescue 1122 and provincial authorities to respond timely and effectively caused unnecessary and avoidable loss of lives.

The petitioner alleged that over six months ago, the Rescue 1122 vehicles and other resources were “unlawfully diverted” by the chief minister for use in a political protest in Islamabad.

He added that those vehicles were confiscated by Islamabad’s police, severely hampering disaster preparedness across the province.

The petitioner contended that the PDMA operated under the KP Disaster Management Act, 2010, under which its resources might be used for disaster preparedness and response only.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025

LAHORE: Incarcerated leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have proposed the party hold talks with the PML-N led government, as opposed to the “inflexible stance” of its patron-in-chief Imran Khan, who has long been calling for dialogue with the “military establishment” only.

In a letter written from the Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore on Tuesday, PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Senator Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfraz Cheema and Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed called for starting ‘meaningful dialogue’ with the political leadership of incumbent government so that the country could be steered out of current severe crises.

However, the PTI leaders made it clear that the talks should kick off among the political leadership and subsequently the same held with the powers that be.

While it was not clear how the various leaders conferred on the issue — as Dr Rashid is kept in separate barracks from the other — the letter proposed that they should also be made part of the dialogue process and the PML-N government give them “regular access” to the former prime minister at Adiala jail for consultation over formation of a dialogue committee.

Move hints at dissent among party ranks with Imran Khan’s ‘inflexible stance’

They also cautioned that the elements in the government should not be allowed to belittle their “dialogue offer to political leadership” as it would be tantamount to sabotaging the entire process.

Mr Khan has a stated position on dialogue with the government. “We will talk only with those who have real power (military establishment). The parties in the government do not have power,” he said, reiterating the stance he had taken since his ouster from power three years ago.

There are reports of rifts among the PTI ranks following the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of Ali Amin Gandapur passing the provincial budget 2025-26 last month without the approval of Mr Khan.

The ex-PM’s sister Aleema Khan had reacted to this saying a “minus Imran” formula was now in effect.

Since groupings have been reported in the PTI, a section in the party wants Mr Khan to soften his stance over holding dialogue only with the military establishment so that a “required political space and relief” could be extracted for the party.

“Khan Sahib needs to soften his stance and give approval to begin a dialogue process with the government. In given circumstances the PTI will have to revisit its politics of resistance (for the time being) and seek political expediency to make it relevant in the current situation which otherwise is quite hostile towards it,” a PTI leader told Dawn.

He also supported the ‘proposal’ of the five incarcerated leaders of the PTI and expressed hope that the party’s patron-in-chief would seriously consider it.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025

GWADAR: The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has announced an ambitious plan to expand Gwadar Port’s operational capacity by introducing additional shipp­ing lines and launching a ferry service connecting Pak­istan with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The announcement was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Af­­fairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Tuesday. Senior ministry officials also attended the session.

To launch ferry service connecting Pakistan with GCC countries

“The initiative is part of the government’s strategy to enhance regional connectivity, boost maritime trade and position Gwadar as a major hub in the Arabian Sea,” Mr Chaudhry said. “We aim to transform Gwadar into a strategic transhipment and logistics centre, benefiting Pakistan and the wider region.”

He emphasised that with Gwadar Port now fully ope­rational, it is time to accelerate its integration into international maritime networks. He directed relevant dep­artments to pursue all necessary steps to increase the port’s commercial activity and unlock its full potential.

He said additional shipping lines will be connected to Gwadar to facilitate greater movement of goods, promote transit trade with Central Asia and the Middle East, and support Pakistan’s growing role in the regional logistics landscape.

“The new routes will reduce pressure on existing ports and ensure faster, more efficient cargo handling,” Mr Chaudhry stated.

In addition to enhancing cargo operations, the maritime ministry has also planned to launch a ferry service from Gwadar to GCC countries. The move is expected to provide an affordable, direct maritime link for passengers and cargo, particularly benefiting expatriate communities and cross-border traders.

“The ferry service will strengthen people-to-people ties, boost tourism and provide a new economic lifeline for Balochistan,” the minister said. “It will create local employment, improve supporting infrastructure and attract private sector participation, especially in the areas of ship services, hospitality and transportation.”

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025

• Govt works out power tariff to be Rs31.59/unit compared to Rs32.73/unit last year
• Industrialists demand end to peak, off-peak charges; decry denial of promised ‘sizeable relief’
• No change in rates for first two slabs of domestic consumers; relief ranges between 3pc and 10pc depending on usage

ISLAMABAD: As the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) decided on Tuesday to reduce the national average power tariff by Rs1.14 per unit, the move was criticised by industrialists and businesspersons from Karachi as being “too minuscule”.

The decision to reduce the tariff was taken at a public hearing presided over by Nepra members Maqsood Anwar and Rafique Shaikh.

The government team, led by the Power Division additional secretary, Mehfooz Bhatti, said the regulator had determined national average tariff — excluding all taxes, surcharges and duties — at Rs34 for FY2025-26, down Rs1.50 per unit from Rs35.50 per unit last year.

After subsidies and cross-subsidies, the government has worked out the tariff to be Rs31.59 per unit, as compared to Rs32.73 per unit last year, a reduction of Re1.14 per unit.

The official said the same rate would apply to K-Electric consumers under the government’s uniform tariff policy.

A formal notification of the new tariffs will be issued within this week. The new rates will take effect from July 1.

Rushed process

Karachi-based representatives of the FPCCI, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry and Surjani Town businesses criticised the government and the Nepra for rushing through the approval process and not allowing their requests for time to understand and review the government’s petition.

They said the Power Division filed the petition on June 28. It was approved a day later by the federal cabinet and made public on June 30 for a hearing on July 1.

They said the process violated the law that provided at least seven days after the publication of petition to hold a public hearing.

Peak, off-peak billing

The industrialists criticised the government for a nominal reduction of Rs1.14 per unit in the tariff after promising “sizeable relief”.

“Even after the reduction of Rs1.14 per unit, the effective tariff would be about Rs5 per unit higher than last year when the industry paid on average Rs30 per unit”, said one of the businesspersons.

The government team insisted the effective average tariff during the new fiscal year would be around Rs40.43 against Rs47.89 per unit in FY2025 after taking into account all taxes, surcharges, duties and quarterly adjustments and the removal of PTV fee and electricity duty.

They said the government efforts, coupled with improved exchange rate, helped reduce capacity payments by Rs1.27 per unit on average from 30.88 to Rs29.61 per unit when compared to the outgoing year.

The average transmission and distribution losses of Discos, they claimed, had dropped to 11.03pc from 11.43pc.

Industrial consumers also demanded an end to peak and off-peak rates, enabling the industry to operate round-the-clock instead of shutting down during peak hours due to higher rates.

New tariff

The Rs1.15 per unit reduction in tariff would apply to consumers in almost all categories, except lifeline domestic consumers.

There would be no change in electricity rates for first two lifeline slabs of domestic consumers, as they are already over-subsidised.

The per unit rate for lifeline consumers with up to 50 units per month would remain unchanged at Rs3.95, followed by Rs7.74 for those in 50 to 100 unit monthly consumption. They have to maintain their consumption threshold throughout the year.

For all other consumers and categories, the government sought a flat Rs1.15 per unit reduction for FY2025-26.

However, the relief ranges between 3 to 10pc depending on the users’ respective rates at present.

The protected consumers in 1 to 100 units would now be charged at Rs10.54 per unit, instead of Rs11.69 at present, showing a reduction of 9.8pc.

The subsequent slab in the protected category would be charged at Rs13.01 per unit instead of Rs14.16 per unit, down 8pc.

The non-protected consumers in first 100 units would be charged at Rs23.44 per unit instead of Rs23.59 per unit, down by almost 5pc.

The reduction in rates for all other categories including commercial, industrial, agriculture and bulk consumers would vary from three to four percent but flat Rs1.15 per unit. The cheapest rate, in these categories, have been provided to the industry whose average rate would now be Rs33.48 per unit instead of Rs44.32 per unit.

Commercial consumers would be provided electricity at an average Rs45.43 per unit instead of Rs46.58 per unit. The average rate of general services would be Rs43.17 per unit instead of Rs44.32 while tariff for bulk consumers would come down to Rs41.76 per unit from Rs42.92 per unit.

However, agricultural consumers would get an even cheaper rate of Rs30.75 per unit instead of Rs31.90. The average rate would work out to be around Rs31.60 per unit from about Rs32.75 per unit at present.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025